The Monthly Memo

Note: All revisions, updates and additions for the 2002-03 academic year have been made to the electronic Policy and Procedure Manual and are now available to you.

Points of Interest:

1. The Higher Educational Aids Board 2003-05 Biennial Budget was recently submitted. A copy of the written request related to the programs HEAB administers is included at the end of this memo.

2. The next Board meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2003.

3. Feedback to the Talent Incentive Program Recommendations is welcome. The recommendations were included in the WASFAA Windows as well as distributed at the WASFAA Fall Conference. If you would like a separate copy sent directly to you, please feel free to make that request. My email address is jane.hojan-clark@heab.state.wi.us.

4. Just a reminder that student grant funds must not be awarded or vouchered prior to being committed and posted on the notification list.

5. When returning refunds please always include the Program Code (rather than Program Name) Academic Year, Semester, and HEAB's Voucher Number.

6. Please do not send empty (File Maintenance or Voucher) files.  Automatically generated files should be checked to make sure they are populated prior to submission.

Points Related to Processing:

2002-03

1. 2002-03 notification lists and associated reports are scheduled to run November 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th.

2. 2002-03 award commit and spent for WHEG and WTG are as follows:

   TIP Award Commit	=	115.42%	(last year at this time it was 114.20%)
   TIP Spent	=	37.68%	(last year at this time it was 37.36%)
   UW WHEG Award Commit	=	124.74%	(last year at this time it was 125.24%)
   UW WHEG Spent	=	46.80%	(last year at this time it was 46.12%)
   WTC WHEG Award Commit	=	169.76%	(last year at this time it was 147.84%)
   WTC WHEG Spent	=	51.19%	(last year at this time it was 46.49%)
   WTG Award Commit	=	%	(last year at this time it was %)
   WTG Spent	=	40.03%	(last year at this time it was 41.34%)

   NOTE:  The “W” code is currently being applied to any new WTC-WHEG applicants.

3. The 2002-03 voucher (V) process began August 2, 2002. We will begin processing second term vouchers December 3, 2002. Vouchering occurs both Tuesday and Friday nights. Requests will be processed if they are received by 12NOON on either Tuesday or Friday. Please note that vouchering will not occur Friday, November 29^th due to the holiday.

4. TIP nomination forms can now be sent to John Whitt.

5. Beginning with the 2002-03 academic year, file maintenance will be accepted for the following items only:
   Professional Judgement changes
   Special Tuition
   Selective Service changes
   Special Circumstances
   Deletes
   If you have a situation that you believe is a special circumstance, please contact the program coordinator. ALL other changes must by made by submitting information to the federal processor. Please note that we are now accepting file maintenance for 2002-03.

Other Points:

1. The next training sessions will be held:
   November 21, 2002

   The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends no later than 3:00 p.m. It is held at the HEAB offices at 131 W. Wilson St, Suite 902, Madison, WI. We have room for up to 6 people at each session.

   If you want to register for a session or need more information, please call Jim Buske at (608) 267-9865 or send email to james.buske@heab.state.wi.us.

I have included Attachment B which reflects the zero percent request for the 2003-05 biennial period along with Attachment C that indicates the funding request "if additional funds become available." They also incorporate projected figures for the two programs that have sum sufficient appropriations.

Per the “budget target policy” an increase of zero percent over FY03 GPR Program Funding is being requested below. However, if funds do become available, financial assistance programs administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) for postsecondary education should become a priority. Please see Request B on the page following this one.

PROGRAM	2003-04	2004-05
Tuition Grant (B)	$22,103,700	$22,103,700
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-WTC (B)	$14,874,000	$14,874,000
Dental Education Contract (A)	$1,517,100	$1,517,100
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-UW (S) *	$23,586,800	$25,473,700
Minority Undergraduate Grant (B)	$756,900	$756,900
Minority Teacher Loan (A)	$262,100	$262,100
Handicapped Grant (B)	$123,800	$123,800
Talent Incentive Grant (B)	$4,503,800	$4,503,800
Teacher Education Loan (A)	$275,000	$275,000
Loan for Teachers of the Visually Impaired (A)	$100,000	$100,000
Nursing Student Loan Program (A)	$450,000	$450,000
Indian Student Assistance (B) **	$787,600	$787,600
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-Tribal (B) **	$404,000	$404,000
Academic Excellence Scholarship (S)	$3,133,000	$3,133,000
MN-WI Reciprocity (S)	NA	NA
TOTAL	$72,877,800	$74,764,700

*	The recently passed 2001-03 Budget Adjustment Bill included a provision that ties UW WHEG Program funding increases in the future to increases in the previous year's tuition (2002-03 UW tuition increased 8%).
**	Funded through gaming funds rather than GPR.

A = Annual appropriation
B = Biennial appropriation
S = Sum Sufficient appropriation

DECISION ITEMS IN PRIORITY ORDER AND CONTACT

All items listed below are of equal priority:

Description		Decision Item	Contact
I.	Program One - Programs and Policy		Jane Hojan-Clark
	Tuition Grants WHEG Technical College Dental Education WHEG University of WI Minority Undergraduate Grant Minority Teacher Loan Nursing Student Loan Handicapped Grant Talent Incentive Grant Teacher Education Loan Loan for Teachers of Vis. Imp. Indian Student Assistance WHEG Tribal College Academic Excellence Scholar MN/WI Reciprocity	4501 4502 4503 4506 4507 4510 4517 4512 4514 4515 4516 4532 4533 4505 NA
II.	Program Two - Administration and Fiscal Services		Jane Hojan-Clark
	IT Proposal Position Funding Transfer	5001 5002
III.	Proposed Statutory Language Changes	7005	Jane Hojan-Clark

If funds do become available, financial assistance programs administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) for postsecondary education should become a priority. Below indicates the funding priority for if funds do become available. Please see the Narrative for more details.

PROGRAM	2003-04	%↑	2004-05	%↑
Tuition Grant (B)	$23,872,000	8%	$25,781,800	8%
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-WTC (B)	$16,063,900	8%	$17,349,000	8%
Dental Education Contract (A)	$1,517,100	0%	$1,517,100	0%
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-UW (B) *	$23,586,800	8%	$25,473,700	8%
Minority Undergraduate Grant (B)	$1,513,800	100%	$1,513,800	0%
Minority Teacher Loan (A)	$524,200	100%	$524,200	0%
Nursing Student Loan Program (A) **	$450,000	0%	$450,000	0%
Handicapped Grant (B)	$123,800	0%	$123,800	0%
Talent Incentive Grant (B)	$4,864,100	8%	$5,253,200	8%
Teacher Education Loan (A) ***	$275,000	0%	$275,000	0%
Loan for Teachers of the Visually Impaired (B)	$100,000	0%	$100,000	0%
Indian Student Assistance (B) ****	$1,575,200	100%	$1,575,200	0%
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant-Tribal (B) ****	$808,000	100%	$808,000	0%
Academic Excellence Scholarship (S)	$5,517,000	89%	$5,517,000	0%
MN-WI Reciprocity (S)	NA		NA
TOTAL	$80,790,900	14%	$86,261,800	7%

*	The recently passed 2001-03 Budget Adjustment Bill included a provision that ties UW WHEG Program funding increases in the future to increases in the previous year's tuition (2002-03 UW tuition increased 8%).
**	Program was recently established in 2002-03.
***	MTEC annual tuition has not increased over the five years this program has been in existence.
****	Funded through gaming funds rather than GPR.

A = Annual appropriation
B = Biennial appropriation
S = Sum Sufficient appropriation

In order to maintain the same level of funding as ten or more years ago, the programs listed below would need to increase by the following amounts in 2003-04 fiscal year. This is in addition to the amounts indicated above.

	2002-03 Appropriation	4.29% ↑
Talent Incentive Program Grant	$4,503,800	$193,200
UW WI Higher Education Grant	$21,839,600	$936,900
WTC WI Higher Education Grant	$14,874,000	$638,100
WI Tuition Grant	$22,103,700	$948,300
TOTAL	$ 63,321,100	$2,716,500

In order to meet increasing need due to the increase of needy applicants, the programs listed below would need to increase by the following amounts in 2003-04 fiscal year. This is in addition to the amounts indicated above.

DECISION ITEMS IN PRIORITY ORDER AND CONTACT

Description		Decision Item	Contact
I.	Program One - Programs and Policy		Jane Hojan-Clark
	PRIORITY ONE
	Tuition Grants WHEG Technical College WHEG University of WI WHEG Tribal College Talent Incentive Grant	4501 4502 4506 4533 4514
	PRIORITY TWO
	Indian Student Assistance Minority Undergraduate Grant Minority Teacher Loan Academic Excellence Scholar Dental Education	4532 4507 4510 4505 4503
	PRIORITY THREE
	Nursing Student Loan Handicapped Grant Teacher Education Loan Loan for Teachers of Vis. Imp. MN/WI Reciprocity	4517 4512 4515 4516 NA
II.	Program Two - Administration and Fiscal Services		Jane Hojan-Clark
	PRIORITY ONE
	IT Proposal Position Funding Transfer	5001 5002
III.	Proposed Statutory Language Changes	7005	Jane Hojan-Clark

Contact Person for all Requests: Jane Hojan-Clark

UNDER BUDGET REQUEST B:

Request One – Tie future Wisconsin Tuition Grant Program funding increases to increases in the previous year's UW tuition.

Description

State Statute 20.235 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.235 (1) (b) Wisconsin tuition grants; Biennially, the amounts in the schedule a sum sufficient equal to the amount determined under s. 39.435 (9) for the purposes of s. 39.30."

39.435 (9) of the statutes is created to read:
39.435 (9) (a) In this subsection: 1. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (b) for fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the amount shown in the schedule under s. 20.005 for that appropriation for fiscal year 2002–03. 2. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (b) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the maximum appropriation amount determined under par. (b) for the previous fiscal year. (b) Annually, by February 1, the board shall determine the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (b) for the next fiscal year as follows: 1. The board shall determine the percentage by which the undergraduate academic fees charged for the current academic year at each institution within the University of Wisconsin System has increased or decreased from the undergraduate academic fees charged for the previous academic year. 2. The appropriation for the next fiscal year shall be the result obtained by increasing, to the nearest $100, the base amount by the highest percentage increase determined under subd. 1., except that, if the undergraduate academic fees for the current academic year decreased or did not change from the undergraduate academic fees charged for the previous academic year at each institution specified in subd. 1., the appropriation shall be the base amount.” 3. “(1d) TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID. The treatment of sections 20.235 (1) (b) of the statutes takes effect on July 1, 2003.”

Intent

Historically, funding for programs administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board was tied to the cost of education. For example, funding for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) Program when it was initially created was tied to meeting 33.33% of the cost of education. To meet 33% of the Wisconsin student’s cost of education today (excluding the Expected Family Contribution and other available need based assistance) funding for the WHEG and Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG) and Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant Programs would need to increase by approximately 69% for 2002-03. Most recently, funding requests have been tied to tuition increases. Tuition increases from year to year can range from 5 to 9%. The recently passed 2001-03 Budget Adjustment Bill included a provision that ties UW WHEG Program funding increases in the future to increases in the previous year's tuition increase (2002-03 UW tuition increased 8%).  UW WHEG provides assistance for UW students. The students who are served by the WTC WHEG, WTG and the TIP Grant Programs experience similar tuition increases as the UW students served by the UW WHEG Program. In order to provide financially needy Wisconsin residents who attend WTC and Independent Colleges and Universities the same educational opportunity as those attending UW, the same funding relationship needs to be made.

Request Two – Tie future Wisconsin Higher Education Grant - WTC Program funding increases to increases in the previous year's UW tuition.

Description

State Statute 20.235 (1) (ff) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.235 (1) (ff) Wisconsin higher education grants; technical college students. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule a sum sufficient equal to the amount determined under s. 39.435 (8) for the Wisconsin higher education grant program under s. 39.435 for technical college students, except for grants awarded under s. 39.435 (2) or (5).”

39.435 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
39.435 (8) (a) In this subsection: 1. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (ff) for fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the amount shown in the schedule under s. 20.005 for that appropriation for fiscal year 2002–03. 2. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (ff) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the maximum appropriation amount determined under par. (b) for the previous fiscal year. (b) Annually, by February 1, the board shall determine the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (ff) for the next fiscal year as follows: 1. The board shall determine the percentage by which the undergraduate academic fees charged for the current academic year at each institution within the University of Wisconsin System has increased or decreased from the undergraduate academic fees charged for the previous academic year. 2. The appropriation for the next fiscal year shall be the result obtained by increasing, to the nearest $100, the base amount by the highest percentage increase determined under subd. 1., except that, if the undergraduate academic fees for the current academic year decreased or did not change from the undergraduate  academic fees charged for the previous academic year at each institution specified in subd. 1., the appropriation shall be the base amount.” 3. “(1d) TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID. The treatment of sections 20.235 (1) (ff) of the statutes takes effect on July 1, 2003.”

Intent

Historically, funding for programs administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board was tied to the cost of education. For example, funding for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) Program when it was initially created was tied to meeting 33.33% of the cost of education. To meet 33% of the Wisconsin student’s cost of education today (excluding the Expected Family Contribution and other available need based assistance) funding for the WHEG and Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG) and Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant Programs would need to increase by approximately 69% for 2002-03. Most recently, funding requests have been tied to tuition increases. Tuition increases from year to year can range from 5 to 9%. The recently passed 2001-03 Budget Adjustment Bill included a provision that ties UW WHEG Program funding increases in the future to increases in the previous year's tuition increase (2002-03 UW tuition increased 8%). UW WHEG provides assistance for UW students. The students who are served by the WTC WHEG, WTG and the TIP Grant Programs experience similar tuition increases as the UW students served by the UW WHEG Program. In order to provide financially needy Wisconsin residents who attend WTC and Independent Colleges and Universities the same educational opportunity as those attending UW, the same funding relationship needs to be made.

Request Three – Expand the Forgiveness Parameters of the Minority Teacher Loan

Description

State Statute 39.40(2)(d) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.40(2)(d) Agree to teach in a school district located in this state in which minority students constitute at least 29% 10% of the membership or in a school district participating in the interdistrict pupil transfer program under s. 121.85. In this paragraph, "membership" has the meaning given in s. 121.004 (5).

Intent

The Minority Teacher Loan (MTL) Program provides loans at five percent interest in amounts of up to $2,500 per year (with a maximum of $5,000 total) to Wisconsin resident, minority, undergraduate juniors or seniors. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time in programs leading to teacher licensure at an Independent or University of Wisconsin Institution. According to the statutes, a minority student is defined as a student who is an African American, American Indian, Hispanic, or Southeast Asian from Laos, Cambodia, or Vietnam admitted to the U. S. after December 31, 1975. The student who participates in this program must agree to teach in a Wisconsin school district in which minority students constitute at least twenty nine percent of total enrollment or in a school district participating in the inter-district pupil transfer (Chapter 220) program. For each year the student teaches in an eligible school district, 25% of the loan is forgiven. If the student does not teach in an eligible district, the loan must be repaid at an interest rate of 5%.

The MTL is also tied to the concern that we may not be sufficiently meeting the needs of the future (similar to the concerns indicated under the previous point related to the Minority Undergraduate Grant). MTL, however, is specific to training minority teachers. K-12 schools with greater than 29% enrolled minority students or schools who participate in the inter-district pupil transfer program have indicated that an enormous need to educate more minority teachers exists. Enrollment at Milwaukee Public Schools in 2001, for example, consisted of over 82% minority students. The same year, just over 30% of the teachers came from minority backgrounds. Elementary or secondary school districts with minority student populations between 10 and 29% are having difficulty recruiting minority teachers. Expanding the forgiveness parameters to allow minority teachers who teach in districts with a minimum minority student population of 10% to have their loan forgiven would address the challenge school districts around the State are having in recruiting minority teachers.

Request Four – Tie future Talent Incentive Program Grant funding increases to increases in the previous year's UW tuition.

Description

State Statute 20.235 (1) (fd) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.235 (1) (fd) talent incentive grants. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule a sum sufficient equal to the amount determined under s. 39.435 (10) for the talent incentive grants under s. 39.435 (2).”

39.435 (10) of the statutes is created to read:
39.435 (10) (a) In this subsection: 1. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fd) for fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the amount shown in the schedule under s. 20.005 for that appropriation for fiscal year 2002–03. 2. For purposes of determining the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fd) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2003–04, “base amount” means the maximum appropriation amount determined under par. (b) for the previous fiscal year. (b) Annually, by February 1, the board shall determine the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fd) for the next fiscal year as follows: 1. The board shall determine the percentage by which the undergraduate academic fees charged for the current academic year at each institution within the University of Wisconsin System has increased or decreased from the undergraduate academic fees charged for the previous academic year. 2. The appropriation for the next fiscal year shall be the result obtained by increasing, to the nearest $100, the base amount by the highest percentage increase determined under subd. 1., except that, if the undergraduate academic fees for the current academic year decreased or did not change from the undergraduate academic fees charged for the previous academic year at each institution specified in subd. 1., the appropriation shall be the base amount.” 3. “(1d) TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID. The treatment of sections 20.235 (1) (fd) of the statutes takes effect on July 1, 2003.”

Intent

Historically, funding for programs administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board was tied to the cost of education. For example, funding for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) Program when it was initially created was tied to meeting 33.33% of the cost of education. To meet 33% of the Wisconsin student’s cost of education today (excluding the Expected Family Contribution and other available need based assistance) funding for the WHEG and Wisconsin Tuition Grant (WTG) and Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant Programs would need to increase by approximately 69% for 2002-03. Most recently, funding requests have been tied to tuition increases. Tuition increases from year to year can range from 5 to 9%. The recently passed 2001-03 Budget Adjustment Bill included a provision that ties UW WHEG Program funding increases in the future to increases in the previous year's tuition increase (2002-03 UW tuition increased 8%). UW WHEG provides assistance for UW students. The students who are served by the WTC WHEG, WTG and the TIP Grant Programs experience similar tuition increases as the UW students served by the UW WHEG Program. In order to provide financially needy Wisconsin residents who attend WTC and Independent Colleges and Universities the same educational opportunity as those attending UW, the same funding relationship needs to be made.

Request Five – Expand and Increase Maximum Award for the Indian Student Assistance Grant

Description

State Statute 39.38(2) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.38(2) Grants under this section shall be based on financial need, as determined by the board. The maximum grant shall not exceed $2,200 $4,400 per year, of which not more than $1,100 $2,200 may be from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (l) (k). State aid from this appropriation may be matched by a contribution from a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band that is deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (l) (gm). Grants shall be awarded to students for full-time or part-time attendance at any accredited institution of higher education in this state. The board may not make a grant under this section to a student whose name appears on the statewide support lein docket under 49.854 (2) (b), unless the student provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s.59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a). Grants shall be renewable for up to 5 years if a recipient remains in good academic standing at the institution that he or she is attending.

Intent

The Indian Student Assistant Grant (ISAG) was established to assist Wisconsin residents who are at least twenty five percent Native American and are undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at a University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, an Independent College or University, Tribal College or a Proprietary Institution in Wisconsin. Awards are based on financial need with a limit of ten semesters of eligibility.

Currently the maximum award under this program is $1,100. Prior to 1995-96, the maximum award was $2,200. The award had been split in half in 1995-96 because funding availability dropped by 50%. Since the decrease in the maximum, there has been an increasing number of Native American students who have been forced to drop out of school due to lack of funding. It appears that, although not all students would be eligible for a maximum of $2,200 under this program, students who have financial need have very high financial need and require the highest maximum grant possible in order to afford to stay in school. In order to fund an increase in the maximum, the program’s appropriation would also need to double. The ISAG Program is funded through Gaming Funds unlike other programs HEAB administers which are funded through General Program Revenue.

Request Six – Increase Maximum Award for the Academic Excellence Scholarship

Description

State Statute 39.41(2) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.41(2)(a) If a designated scholar under sub. (1m) is admitted to and enrolls, on a full-time basis, by September 30 of the academic year immediately following the school year in which the senior was designated a scholar, in an institution within the University of Wisconsin System or in a technical college district school that is participating in the program under this section, the scholar shall receive a higher education scholarship that exempts the scholar from all tuition and fees, including segregated fees, at the institution or district school for one year, except that the maximum scholarship for a scholar who receives an original scholarship for the 1996-97 through 2002-03 academic years or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $2,250 per academic year, and the maximum scholarship for a scholar who receives an original scholarship for the 2003-04 academic year or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $4,088 per academic year.

(b) For each year that a scholar who receives a scholarship under par. (a) is enrolled full time, maintains at least a 3.000 grade point average, or the equivalent as determined by the institution or district school, and makes satisfactory progress toward an associate or a bachelor's degree, the student shall be exempt from all tuition and fees, including segregated fees, in the subsequent year, except that the maximum scholarship for a scholar who receives an original scholarship for the 1996-97 through 2002-03 academic years or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $2,250 per academic year, and the maximum scholarship for a scholar who receives an original scholarship for the 2003-04 academic year or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $4,088 per academic year. No scholar is eligible for an exemption for more than 4 years in the University of Wisconsin System or more than 3 years at a district school.

(c) Subject to sub. (4), for each year the student is exempt from tuition and fees under par. (a) or (b), the board shall pay the institution or district school, on behalf of the student, an amount equal to 50% of the student's tuition and fees, except that the maximum payment for a student who receives an original scholarship for the 1996-97 through 2002-03 academic years or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $1,125 per academic year, and the maximum payment for a student who receives an original scholarship for the 2003-04 academic year or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $2,044 per academic year.

State Statute 39.41(3) of the statutes is amended to read:
39.41(3)(a) If a designated scholar under sub. (1m) is admitted to and enrolls, on a full-time basis, by September 30 of the academic year immediately following the school year in which the senior was designated a scholar, in a private institution of higher education that is located in this state and participating in the program under this section, the board shall pay the institution, on behalf of the pupil, an amount equal to 50% of the tuition and fees charged a resident undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the same academic year, except that the maximum payment for a pupil who receives an original scholarship for the 1996-97 through 2002-03 academic years or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $1,125 per academic year, and the maximum payment for a pupil who receives an original scholarship for the 2003-04 academic year or for any academic year thereafter may not exceed $2,044 per academic year.

Intent

Academic Excellence Scholarships are awarded to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in each public and private high school throughout the State of Wisconsin. The number of scholarships each high school is eligible for is based on total student enrollment. In order to receive a scholarship a student must be enrolled on a full-time basis, by September 30^th of the academic year following the academic year in which he or she was designated as a scholar, at a participating University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or Independent institution in the State. The maximum scholarship is currently $2,250. The maximum scholarship for students awarded in 1995-96 and prior was full tuition and fees at a UW campus or Wisconsin Technical College, or an amount equal to the UW - Madison tuition and fees for the students attending independent institutions in Wisconsin. Half of the scholarship is funded by the state, while the other half is matched by the institution.

The intention of this program is to keep the best and the brightest in Wisconsin, as indicated earlier. Most recent data indicates that the program may no longer be fulfilling its purpose due to the $2,250 annual maximum. Tuition at UW - Madison (which the program was tied to in 1995-96 and prior) is 4,088 for 2002-03. Data is showing that more students who are designated the recipient of the scholarship are choosing not to stay in Wisconsin and therefore the alternate is accepting the scholarship instead. Some would argue that the alternate might be as academically strong as the designated recipient. However, the fact remains that fewer of those designated as the scholarship recipient due to their highest GPA ranking are choosing to stay in Wisconsin to attend college.

Increasing the maximum award for each student to $4,088 would restore the program back to its original model and encourage Wisconsin's best and brightest to stay in the State. The additional commitment would be approximately 2.6 million annually by the State. This amount would also have to be matched by the schools.